POLICE have released an image of a man they are hunting for a year after a gangland feud brought havoc to the streets of Bolton with a shooting and a bomb attack.
On Friday, July 12, 2019, a 28-year-old man was shot several times after leaving Outline Gym on St Marks Street in Bolton in "a clear attempt to kill him", police say.
And only 11 days later on July 23, 2019, an explosion ripped through the interior of a BMW after Londoner Tom Omona smashed a window and hurled an improvised grenade inside.
Today, Friday, three men, Omona, Darren Holland and Luqman Hamid, were sentenced at Bolton Crown Court to a combined total of more than 26 years imprisonment in connection with the bombing.
READ MORE: Three men jailed after grenade attack
Luqman Hamid
Darran Holland
Tom Omona
But now officers are searching for another man in connection with the earlier attempted murder and have issued an e-fit of the gunman.
Detective Chief Inspector Alan Clitherow, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “It has been one year since the Bolton area saw two shocking incidents which occurred within two weeks of each other and are believed to be connected to a dispute between local criminal gangs.
“On Friday, July 12, 2019, a 28-year-old man was shot several times after leaving Outline Gym in Bolton in what is being treated by detectives as a clear attempt to kill him.
“Eleven days later, on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, an improvised explosive device (IED) was thrown into an unoccupied BMW car on Castle Street in Bolton where it exploded.
"This incident occurred shortly before a car garage in Rochdale - which is owned by an associate of the BMW owner - was extensively damaged in an arson attack.
“Through the hard work and determination of our officers, we have successfully convicted three men in relation to the IED incident.
“However, despite extensive enquiries, we have not yet been able to locate a stolen dark red Vauxhall Mokka, registration DW68 GDY, which was seen in the area at the time of shooting on Friday, July 12, 2019.
The Vauxhall Mokka on Moor Lane
The Vauxhall Mokka on Bury New Road
Detective Chief Inspector Alan Clitherow added: "We have also not yet been able to identify the gunman in this first linked incident.
“We are releasing this e-fit in the hope that someone may recognise the man pictured.
"If you know anything about either of the incidents or have any information at all about the stolen red Mokka which we know drove to the Cheetham Hill area shortly after the shooting, I am appealing to you to please get in touch with police as soon as possible.
"Even the smallest piece of information could prove vital in helping police to complete their enquiries.
“We have not ruled out that the gunman was local but one line of enquiry is that he has no links to Greater Manchester and was hired to commit the offence.
“Although a year has passed since the shooting occurred, we remain as committed as ever to finding those responsible and bringing them to justice.
"We believe that there are answers within the community and I am asking anyone with any information to please come forward.
"The offenders behind this attack are dangerous individuals and we are doing everything we can to find them.
"We need the public to provide the missing pieces within our investigation.”
Information can be uploaded through the dedicated Major Incident Public Portal https://mipp.police.uk.
You can also contact officers on 0161 856 4711.
Reports can also be made anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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